Onam which is also known as Thiruonam is celebrated by people of Kerala. This is the most important festival for Malayalis. Onam is celebrated usually in the month of August and September every year where this is celebrated for ten days.
Onam is a festival that has a mythological reason to celebrate one. According to the old people they say this celebration is done to remember the golden heart kind Mahabali. He was a mythical king who ruled over Kerala. The jealous of king mahabali's popularity and his power, the God conspired to end his reign.
Lord Vishnu took an avatar of dwarf Brahmin to defeat king mahabali. After defeating the ruler, God granted a wish to his soul to visit his land for ten days after every one year. These ten days are celebrated by the people of Kerala as their biggest festival and they consider this as their biggest festival. The ten days of Onam are named as Atham, Chithira, Chodhi, Visakam, Anizham, Thriketta, Moolam, Pooradam, Utradam, Thiruonam.
Atham is the first day of Onam where people take bath early in the morning, go to the temple, girls of the house put atta poo (flower rangoli) in the entrance to welcome king Mahabali. Every day in this atta poo more flowers are added to make it biggest on the final day. Chithira is the second day of Onam where some more flowers are added to the pookolam. Chothi is the third day where more activities of purchasing new things are seen like accessories, household items. Visakam is the fourth-day women prepare pickle, pappadams at home for the pre-arrangements of the final day.
Anizham is the fifth day when vallamkali , a grand snake boat event takes place on the bank of river pamba at aranmula. Thriketta is the sixth day when people who stay in other states visit their home town to meet their relatives, friends, neighbors. Moolam is the seventh day when pookolam is prepared with a new design with the most beautiful flowers. Pooradham is the eighth day when devotees create an idol made of clay and that is called Ma.
Uthradam is the ninth day when houses are well cleaned, decorated, and gala feasts are arranged. After the pooja male members raise loud rhythmic shouts out of joy known as arppu Vilikkukal. Swing is also placed in the branch of the tree decorated with flowers where youngsters play.
Thiruonam is the final day when Kerala appears best on this day. Cultural activities, music, and feast add joy to people’s hearts. Onam celebration starts early morning at 4 AM, which shows happiness in God’s own country. Thousands of tourists used to visit Kerala during Onam to witness the gorgeous, magnificent image of the festival.
